After the announcement of the nominations by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Directors Guild of America (DGA), it is evident that the Hollywood landscape is dominated by two major powerhouses: Barbie and Oppenheimer. Both of these blockbuster studios secured four nominations each at SAG, including the prestigious Outstanding Cast category. Additionally, Greta Gerwig from Barbie and Christopher Nolan from Oppenheimer are both among the five finalists for the Directors Guild. These guilds have a strong track record of aligning with the eventual Oscar winners in the fields of acting and directing, making these nominations critical indicators of success. Barbie and Oppenheimer have certainly established their presence in the awards season race.
The DGA nominations provided some intriguing surprises. Joining the esteemed list were Martin Scorsese for “Killers Of The Flower Moon,” Yorgos Lanthimos for “Poor Things,” and Alexander Payne for “The Holdovers.” Scorsese, in particular, has a history of being adored by the Directors Guild and his inclusion was expected. However, the absence of Bradley Cooper for his outstanding work on “Maestro” was an unexpected snub. Only Greta Gerwig managed to secure a nomination for acting and directing, solidifying her position as a highly regarded talent in the industry.
The SAG nominations also had their share of surprises. “American Fiction” emerged as one of the success stories, receiving nominations in the crucial categories of Outstanding Cast, lead actor Jeffrey Wright, and the unexpected but welcomed recognition for Sterling K. Brown in the Supporting Actor category. Conversely, “Poor Things” missed out on the Cast nomination, settling for individual nominations for Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe. Additionally, Leonardo DiCaprio was excluded from the lead actor category for “Killers Of The Flower Moon,” although the film received an Outstanding Cast nomination.
Two international favorites, “Anatomy Of A Fall” and “The Zone Of Interest,” failed to secure nominations at SAG, which was particularly disappointing for German star Sandra Huller, who delivered exceptional performances in both films. These omissions are significant because the guilds’ voting members align closely with the Academy, making these nominations valuable predictors of Oscar success. On the other hand, Netflix received some positive news with nominations for Tod Haynes’ “May December,” Annette Bening and Jodie Foster from “Nyad,” and Colman Domingo for “Rustin.” NEON was also pleased with Penelope Cruz’s recognition for her supporting role in “Ferrari,” after her lack of traction in earlier critics awards.
The Unpredictability of Guild and Academy Alignment
While the SAG nominations have traditionally been reliable indicators of eventual Oscar winners, the alignment in the acting categories has been more inconsistent. In recent years, the overlap between SAG and the Academy on acting nominations has ranged from 12 to 16 out of 20. Therefore, missing out on a SAG nomination does not completely dash one’s Oscar hopes. The Producers Guild will be the next major guild to announce its film nominations on Friday, followed by the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) on January 18. The highly anticipated Oscar nominations will be unveiled on January 23.
Additional Awards to Look Forward To
If you are curious about the Writers Guild (WGA) nominations, you will have to exercise patience until February 21st. The delay is due to a strike that altered their awards calendar. Nonetheless, their nominations will provide further insights into the evolving awards season landscape. The WGA awards ceremony is scheduled for April 14, over a month after the Oscars.
The SAG and DGA nominations have brought both celebration and surprises to the forefront. Barbie and Oppenheimer have proven their dominance, while unexpected inclusions and snubs have challenged predictions. The absence of international favorites and the recognition of underdogs have added an element of unpredictability. As the awards season unfolds, the Producers Guild and BAFTA nominations will further shape the race, culminating in the highly anticipated Oscar nominations. Until then, the industry and audiences alike eagerly await the announcement of the winners that will define this year’s award season.